The day Peggy and Christian said their ‘I do’s’ was easily a documentary-style wedding photographer’s dream come true. From the magical setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the way the sunlight illuminated the newlyweds’ every touch and turn, each part of the day was about capturing what was unfolding right before our very eyes. I really think that the best and most beautiful way to tell a story is to allow the day to be what it is and the couple to be who they are within those treasured hours. 

Natalie and Keaton’s once-in-a-lifetime day was filled to the brim with out-of-the-box spring wedding ideas that are sure to stick in the memories of both the newlyweds and their guests.Majestic mountain backdrop? Check. Cascading waterfall? Check. The bluest of blue lakes and lush forest surrounding it? Check. A moderate hike for more active couples? Got you covered. Beautiful vistas for couples who are just there for the portraits? Consider it done.

You might think that, as a Saint Paul-based, documentary-style wedding photographer, my one and only job is to capture your whimsical, adventurous love story through timeless and evocative photographs. And while you wouldn’t be wrong because that is, in fact, what I do with this sweet, blessed life of mine… there is SO much more to it than that. 

If you are a couple looking to have a session that is equal parts whimsical photoshoot and memorable adventure, then do I have the place for you! 

What if every single thing you did on your wedding day was on purpose? What if everything we photographed together was customized for the sake of your once-in-a-lifetime day? 

I was lucky enough to be there to document it all, but the real lucky ones are Caleb and Alexa. They have such a genuine, playful love that I was able to capture as the golden hour slowly turned to blue, as the earth slowly turned on its axis, as if just for them.

Every single couple and every single photoshoot is special to me in some way or other. But this particular shoot with Anna and Luke in downtown Minneapolis was especially special because it was my first engagement shoot since moving home to Minnesota. It was its own homecoming of sorts, a sweet reminder of how lucky I am to serve my couples… and in a place I now call ‘home’ again. 

The day Peggy and Christian said their ‘I do’s’ was easily a documentary-style wedding photographer’s dream come true. From the magical setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the way the sunlight illuminated the newlyweds’ every touch and turn, each part of the day was about capturing what was unfolding right before our very eyes. I really think that the best and most beautiful way to tell a story is to allow the day to be what it is and the couple to be who they are within those treasured hours. 

If I had to put four words to the ‘how to’s’ of having an elopement that is entirely whimsical and adventurous and uniquely yours, they would be these four: “Surrender to your surroundings.”

Someone pinch me, I still feel like I’m dreaming! There’s a reason these images may look familiar to you: It was shot at the very location The Notebook’s romantic boat scene was filmed! Cypress Gardens lived up to its magical history, giving us the perfect backdrop for Karla and Ryan’s unique January elopement.